Delaney lived alone after the death of his wife of 51 years. His house was located on the ridge facing northeast just above the Poplar Hill plantation. He had a full view of the property he farmed, raised his family, witnessed history and that he owned. On April 24, 1908 Delaney experienced in his home the tornado, which traveled 150 miles through Louisiana and Mississippi. The damage was so extensive that it took about three days after the storm before his sons found Delaney. He had suffered serious injuries from a tree crashing into the house.
Extensive damage throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding communities was experienced, especially the very rural areas. When his sons finally found him, he was extremely agitated …show more content…
“The massive tornado then crossed into Mississippi just north of Vidalia, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, devastating many more plantations, killing at least 30 more people, and injuring about 200, especially near "Pine Ridge". Large antebellum mansions were destroyed, and witnesses reported that areas along the Mississippi River resembled a "deserted battlefield". The tornado then struck the Church Hill area, killing 21 people in frail tenant homes before dissipating near Tillman.” Maps of the area from 1908 show the tract of this storm. Though not shown Poplar Hill was in the direct path of this massive storm. That spring the severity of the injuries Delaney sustained caused his death. He and Easter are buried just above the farm at the Jackson Family Cemetery overlooking Poplar Hill Plantation. Concrete slabs mark their graves with their names scratched into the concrete. Delaney wrote his last will and testament with obvious intention. He hoped that his sons would remain in Jefferson County and farm as he had done since a very young age. His children leaving the area meant he failed to instill in them the love for the land. Poplar Hill Plantation was all he knew. It was the place he was enslaved the place where he was freed, and finally it was the land he
Extensive damage throughout Jefferson County and the surrounding communities was experienced, especially the very rural areas. When his sons finally found him, he was extremely agitated …show more content…
“The massive tornado then crossed into Mississippi just north of Vidalia, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, devastating many more plantations, killing at least 30 more people, and injuring about 200, especially near "Pine Ridge". Large antebellum mansions were destroyed, and witnesses reported that areas along the Mississippi River resembled a "deserted battlefield". The tornado then struck the Church Hill area, killing 21 people in frail tenant homes before dissipating near Tillman.” Maps of the area from 1908 show the tract of this storm. Though not shown Poplar Hill was in the direct path of this massive storm. That spring the severity of the injuries Delaney sustained caused his death. He and Easter are buried just above the farm at the Jackson Family Cemetery overlooking Poplar Hill Plantation. Concrete slabs mark their graves with their names scratched into the concrete. Delaney wrote his last will and testament with obvious intention. He hoped that his sons would remain in Jefferson County and farm as he had done since a very young age. His children leaving the area meant he failed to instill in them the love for the land. Poplar Hill Plantation was all he knew. It was the place he was enslaved the place where he was freed, and finally it was the land he